Through the years, I have written quite a lot about trade unions. From an economic point of view, trade unions can operate like monopolists, given their ability to institute collective boycotts against businesses by calling on workers to strike. Were it not for a specific law, such activity would be illegal. To be sure, economists … Continue reading Australian industry groups and unions need oversight
Category: Australian Current Affairs
Australian live export trade prompts review of livestock industry guidelines
The nation's animal welfare regime will come under scrutiny in a government probe into the domestic livestock industry amid a continuing backlash against the $1 billion live-export trade and a backbench push for tougher rules for farmers, transport companies and abattoirs. The Gillard government has called for tenders to review the formation of the animal … Continue reading Australian live export trade prompts review of livestock industry guidelines
Australian government plans changes to 457 (temporary work) visa conditions
The Federal Government has announced changes to conditions for foreign workers on 457 visas (skilled temporary work). Employers will be required to demonstrate there is a genuine skills shortage, and they will not be able to send foreign workers to an area where local skilled workers are available. The Government will also close a loophole … Continue reading Australian government plans changes to 457 (temporary work) visa conditions
Australia’s Kevin Rudd supports US pivot as a ‘response to China’
China's assertive foreign and security policies are dominating strategic concerns in the Asia-Pacific region and have led directly to a strong US response, according to Kevin Rudd. In an article to be published next month in American journal Foreign Affairs, Mr Rudd says the "pivot" to Asia by US President Barack Obama was a direct … Continue reading Australia’s Kevin Rudd supports US pivot as a ‘response to China’
Australian navy intercepts Indonesian people-smuggling ship
The Java-Christmas Island people-smuggling trade is ramping up again, with 452 passengers arriving so far this month and at least another 140 people likely to be on the way. The pick-up in asylum-seekers came as about 20 of them were thrown into rough seas to the north of Christmas Island and successfully rescued on Wednesday … Continue reading Australian navy intercepts Indonesian people-smuggling ship
Australia asked to keep the peace after Sea Shepherd rammed by whaling ship near Antarctica
Sea Shepherd captain Paul Watson expects the Southern Ocean whale-hunting season to be cut short after a dramatic clash prevented Japanese boats refuelling. The whaling fleet abandoned an attempt to refuel from a tanker yesterday when Sea Shepherd vessels intervened. The conservation activist group says three of its boats were then rammed by the Japanese … Continue reading Australia asked to keep the peace after Sea Shepherd rammed by whaling ship near Antarctica
Australia fears having to choose between China and US
Australia does not want to be put in the position where it has to choose between the US and China, the new head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has declared. In his first major public speech since taking over as DFAT secretary, Peter Varghese said: "The challenge for all of us is … Continue reading Australia fears having to choose between China and US
Australian aid (AusAID) spent on foreign junkets
Political party executives are being accused of having their "snouts in the trough" with millions of dollars in AusAID funding being spent on foreign junkets.A 7News investigation has found lucrative travel perks, allowing unelected officials to travel on taxpayers' money. AusAID's charter is to help those who need it most, but 7News can reveal the … Continue reading Australian aid (AusAID) spent on foreign junkets
Dolphins are victims of Australia’s most environmentally controversial project at Gladstone
Australia's most environmentally controversial project, the $33 billion expansion of Gladstone port in Queensland, is under investigation after being accused of breaching strict federal government audit conditions on harbour dredging and dumping of spoils in a World Heritage area. Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke confirmed a review was under way into whether the project had … Continue reading Dolphins are victims of Australia’s most environmentally controversial project at Gladstone
Australia cancels diplomatic visit by North Korea in response to nuclear test
A planned trip to Australia by North Korean diplomats to establish an embassy in Canberra has been cancelled by the Gillard government following a nuclear test by the secretive state. Foreign Minister Bob Carr said officials from Pyongyang were due to arrive in the nation's capital this weekend to scope out property for a diplomatic … Continue reading Australia cancels diplomatic visit by North Korea in response to nuclear test
Australia condemns Malaysia for arrest and deportation of Senator
Australia's Foreign Minister Bob Carr has condemned Senator Nick Xenophon's detention by the Malaysian government as "surprising and disappointing". Senator Carr said Australian officials in Kuala Lumpur were seeking the immediate release of Senator Xenophon, who was detained and held pending deportation when he entered the country this morning. As well, Australian officials have raised … Continue reading Australia condemns Malaysia for arrest and deportation of Senator
Alleged Australian spy “Prisoner X” was deserted in Israeli jail
The Melbourne man dubbed ''Prisoner X'' received no consular assistance from Australian officials despite the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade having been told of his detention by Israeli authorities nearly 10 months before he killed himself in jail. And Australia's forgiving response to Israel's failure to formally advise that it had jailed dual-citizen Ben … Continue reading Alleged Australian spy “Prisoner X” was deserted in Israeli jail
Australian mining giant Rio Tinto posts record $3bn annual loss
Mining giant Rio Tinto has swung to its first full-year loss, hurt by a sharp drop in commodity prices and almost $US14 billion in impairment charges that last month claimed the scalp of its chief executive. Rio Tinto - the world's second-largest iron ore producer after Brazil's Vale - reaffirmed plans to cut costs by … Continue reading Australian mining giant Rio Tinto posts record $3bn annual loss
Aboriginal recognition bill passes lower house in Australia
Parliament has taken another stride toward reconciliation on the fifth anniversary of the national apology to the stolen generation, as campaigners urged MPs on both sides not to give up. Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott put aside politics on Wednesday as the lower house passed legislation to create an Act of … Continue reading Aboriginal recognition bill passes lower house in Australia
Australian Prime Minister to mend fences with China
Julia Gillard is planning to make up for previous Australian government snubs to China with a visit to Asia's premier financial forum in the first week of April. Despite the pressures of campaigning for a September election during the pre-budget parliamentary break, the Prime Minister plans to attend the Boao Forum for Asia, held on … Continue reading Australian Prime Minister to mend fences with China
Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard predicts Kevin Rudd comeback
Former prime minister John Howard says Kevin Rudd - the man who beat him in 2007 - could make a move for the Labor Party leadership before the federal election. Mr Howard says Mr Rudd's ousting as prime minister in 2010 by Julia Gillard was very unusual. "The extraordinary thing about the politics in the … Continue reading Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard predicts Kevin Rudd comeback
Australian Liberals would give Kevin Rudd diplomatic post if they win government
Labor MP Kevin Rudd has talents and experience that could land him a diplomatic appointment under a coalition government, deputy opposition leader Julie Bishop says. Ms Bishop says if she were to become foreign minister, Mr Rudd would be considered for any role with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. "If Kevin wants to … Continue reading Australian Liberals would give Kevin Rudd diplomatic post if they win government
Australia: Kevin Rudd reignites leadership speculation with barefoot bowls tournament
It is a rollback to the heady days of Kevin07. More than five years after Kevin Rudd filled television screens and Facebook pages from dusk until dawn in his campaign for The Lodge, the self-described "humble" backbencher is again reigniting leadership speculation with a blitz of mainstream and social media. As Julia Gillard jetted-off for … Continue reading Australia: Kevin Rudd reignites leadership speculation with barefoot bowls tournament
New Zealand may take asylum-seekers from Australian detention
New Zealand looks set to take a share of asylum-seekers from Australian detention centres. The countries' two leaders are expected to make an announcement on the issue tomorrow. Prime Minister Julia Gillard is in New Zealand for talks with her counterpart, John Key, to mark 30 years of close economic ties. The issue of asylum-seekers … Continue reading New Zealand may take asylum-seekers from Australian detention
Australian Opposition Leader Tony Abbott backs away from ‘move north’ plan
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott is backing away from a draft coalition discussion paper proposing incentives and beneficial tax rates to encourage people to move to northern Australia. However, the plan - described as "wacky" by Labor - has received support from several premiers and Nationals members as well as maverick Queensland MP Bob Katter. The … Continue reading Australian Opposition Leader Tony Abbott backs away from ‘move north’ plan
Australian Prime Minister urged to use Kevin Rudd in election campaign
Pressure is growing on Julia Gillard to exploit Kevin Rudd's popularity with the electorate and elevate his role in the election campaign, with four members of her cabinet now publicly declaring that the former prime minister is an asset for the party. Two of the Prime Minister's key supporters, Victorian Right faction powerbrokers Stephen Conroy … Continue reading Australian Prime Minister urged to use Kevin Rudd in election campaign
Australia: Kevin Rudd publicly supports Julia Gillard
Kevin Rudd has been forced to publicly reiterate his support for Julia Gillard after the Prime Minister complained of a caucus whispering campaign against her. The move came as Tony Abbott flagged a change in parliamentary tactics, saying his team would look more like an “alternative government” than an opposition this year. Mr Rudd told … Continue reading Australia: Kevin Rudd publicly supports Julia Gillard
Australian PM Julia Gillard accuses own MPs of undermining her government
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has accused members of her parliamentary team of white-anting the government, as she demanded unity from Labor MPs. The Prime Minister is understood to have today told parliamentary colleagues that she had been informed by members of the media that some within her ranks had contacted them over the summer, … Continue reading Australian PM Julia Gillard accuses own MPs of undermining her government
Australian government compared to Nazis by Opposition frontbencher
Remarks comparing the federal government to the Nazi party are offensive and hurtful, new federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus says. Coalition frontbencher Christopher Pyne on Sunday said the federal government was unravelling like Hitler's government in the movie Downfall. Mr Pyne said the resignation of two senior ministers and Prime Minister Julia Gillard's subsequent reshuffle showed … Continue reading Australian government compared to Nazis by Opposition frontbencher
Senior Cabinet ministers resign from Australian government
The Gillard government's turbulent start to the new parliamentary year continues with the shock resignation of two of Labor's most senior Cabinet ministers, the Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and the government's leader in the Senate, the Higher Education Minister, Chris Evans. Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced a mid-level reshuffle of her Cabinet this morning announcing, among … Continue reading Senior Cabinet ministers resign from Australian government
Craig Hill 